Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu has been investigated for irregularities in safety certification tests conducted by the Japanese Ministry of Transport. Production lines of its four factories in Japan were shut down. Daihatsu’s irregular tests on 64 models caused the company to suspend all vehicle shipments.
Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu closes Japan factories amid investigation into fake safety tests
Daihatsu’s area of expertise is the production of small vehicles and pickup trucks. However, investigations revealed that irregularities in the security tests were detected in 64 models. This resulted in the company stopping vehicle shipments to Japan and other countries.
The investigation deepened when Daihatsu identified 174 new irregularities in safety tests and other procedures. The problems started with irregular tests on the door trim in April, and then it was revealed that there were problems in the side crash tests in May. Daihatsu President Soichiro Okudaira admitted that cheating in safety tests occurred due to intense pressure on employees.
This scandal experienced by Daihatsu, Toyota’s small vehicle manufacturer, has also affected other automobile manufacturers in Japan, where similar safety and violations have been detected in recent years. However, no accidents or deaths have been reported so far.
The closure of production lines at four Daihatsu factories has raised concerns about the local economy, employment and the company’s revenues. While Daihatsu did not make a clear statement about when production will start, it is stated that the lines may remain closed at least until January. During this time, the company’s earnings and impact on the local economy will be closely monitored.